The Skeletons in God's Closet

“Profound. Powerful. Paradigm shifting. This is simply the best book I’ve read from a young author in years. We will be hearing a lot more from Joshua, and I’ll be listening to everything he has to say and all that he writes. He writes with the depth of a theologian, the passion of an activist, the mind of a thinker, and the view of a globalist. This book is a book for the 21st century in a pluralistic public square kind of world. We are in desperate need of thinkers and writers like Joshua whether you agree or disagree with him.”

Bob Roberts Jr.

“Christians need to be a people who, first and foremost, have overflowing love for others, but we also need to be thinkers—not just for ourselves but for those we care about. The Skeletons in God’s Closet hits some of the bull’s-eye topics that frequently come up when we are in dialogue with people about the Bible and our beliefs. I’m thankful for this book: it’s theologically trustworthy but stretches your thinking, and you’ll come away with more than just powerful ideas on difficult questions—the way Joshua has written truly causes you to worship God all the more.”

Dan Kimball

“I began reading Joshua Ryan Butler’s book wondering if his arguments would change my mind about judgment and hell. Instead, as I read deeper and deeper into the book, I found that Joshua’s words changed not only my mind, but also my heart, as I began to understand God’s pure, unrelenting love for the world.”

Sarah Thebarge

“What if God’s not the good and loving Father I thought him to be?” The Skeletons in God’s Closet doesn’t shy away from the awkward subjects most authors avoid at all cost, but charges right into them with theological precision, unexpected biblical insight, and compassionate application. It addresses issues by reframing them within the context of God’s historical narrative and demonstrates their relevance by placing them in the context of today’s culture. Butler has produced something profoundly unique here: intellectually satisfying and enlightening—as well as entertaining and life-changing—this is a gem!”

Ken Wytsma

“skeleton closet and shine a light on what’s there. He is a reliable guide.”

John Sowers

“There is a towering stack of books on my desk—many given as gifts by friends. When I received The Skeletons in God’s Closet I would never have anticipated my inability to put it down. I was challenged and inspired as I read through this book!”

Dr. Andrea Cook

“The Skeletons in God’s Closet is a deeply satisfying read. When referencing Scripture, Joshua mixes equal parts respectful reverence and playful familiarity. He joyfully excavates Christianity’s most feared doctrines from the rubble of our modern cultural misunderstanding and restores them to their rightful place as pillars of our faith. Joshua has addressed and dispelled, with unflinching directness, many of my deepest doubts and skepticisms. I am deeply grateful for the faith-strengthening effect this book has had on my life.”

Sebastian Rogers

“The Skeletons in God’s Closet comes at such an important time in the Western church. After centuries of nationalism and military violence, a new generation is questioning the status quo. Does violence have any place in Jesus’ kingdom? In the life of his followers? If not, how do we reconcile Jesus’ teaching on loving our enemies with judgment, hell, and destruction? How do we read the Old Testament texts of genocide and ethnic cleansing? These kinds of questions are paramount. Whether you agree with Joshua’s answers or not, I’m just so happy that he’s leading the way towards a new kind of conversation. This book is courageous, intelligent, provocative, and sound. Read it.”

John Mark Comer

“For more than a decade, I have been dreaming of the day the world would be introduced to the thoughts of Joshua Ryan Butler. Through the pages of The Skeletons in God’s Closet my dream has come true. This articulate, original, and prayerfully discerned book is a must-read for all Bible-inspired thinkers who have the courage to explore in the lush idea-fields that exist beyond the deep-rutted wagon trails of much religious writing.”

Tony Kriz

“Ryan Butler invites us not only into a clearer way of understanding, but also into a different way of being in the world. Dive into this book and you’ll find yourself caught up in the surprisingly hopeful story of how the Creating, Sustaining, and Redeeming God is at work to bring life in all its fullness where skeletons—both imagined and real—have for too long endured.”

Michael Yankoski

“With sensitivity to those for whom the Christian story is seen as coercive and cruel, Joshua Ryan Butler deftly navigates between biblical narratives and real life experiences to show that God is good and gracious and will put right injustice. Calling for the abandonment of popular typologies of hell, judgment, and holy war, Butler constantly pushes back to the overall arc of the biblical story, that God is at work to reconcile and contain evil, pride, and abuse, not to mete it out in some underground prison or on a battleground. This is a fine book for the postmodern skeptic or bruised reed in our ruthless world, as well as a church needing to reclaim her story of a good King inviting all his beleaguered people into his just kingdom of shalom.”

Michael Andres

“I have taught graduate theology classes for twenty years and have read countless books on apologetics, salvation, world religions, hell, sin, and genocide. The Skeletons in God’s Closet stands out as one of the most stimulating books I have read on these subjects. It gave me new insights which blessed and challenged me. Josh has an uncanny ability to connect biblical truth with real world issues in an incredibly creative manner. This book won’t answer all your questions but it will stimulate paradigm shifts in your thinking. That is its genius. I will be recommending this book to my students and friends. It is truly a must-read work.”

Steve Tracy